Hardy's Cottage, Dorset, South West England

Thomas Hardy was born in a cottage at Higher Bockhampton on 2nd of June 1840. After living in Dorchester and London he returned to the cottage where he wrote "Under the Greenwood Tree" and "Far from the Madding Crowd". The cottage is now owned by the National Trust.

In his books, particularly "The Return of the Native", Thomas Hardy called this area "Egdon Heath". Most of the heathland has been planted by the Forestry Commission and is now better known as Puddletown Forest.

From Kingston Maurward roundabout on the A35 near Dorchester follow signpost to Stinsford, Higher Bockhampton and Hardy's Cottage. The car park is also provided for walking the Thorncombe Woods Trail.